I'm writing from Mar del Plata, Argentina. I came here from Committee to Protect Bloggers and I must say you have a lovely blog!I also love kittens (I have two cats, named Til and Pam) and I used to have the same template as yours when I first signed up in Blogger (about two years ago). And I have the same animated Kitty on my sidebar! Those were too many coincidences, so I couldn't leave without posting a comment.Your blog conveys so much kindness! I think nobody can't leave without smiling. Keep it going!

I am a weaver and have a cat (Elsa) who looks very much like your "In The Wool" kitten. Elsa also loves to try to get into my yarn supply! Luckily she is afraid of my loom (too much noise!) so she doesn't disturb the yarn once it's being woven!

I just learned about your blog from Scott Simon on National Public Radio here in the USA. You will be in my thoughts every day and I hope you and your family and friends and school mates keep safe.

I just heard about your blog on NPR (Scott Simon) and just had to visit you. I love your website and wish you and your family all the best of luck at such a difficult time for your country.Long live Iraq and the Iraqi people - take care Baghdad Girl!

iftdeCute, cute, kitties!The photo of the one sleeping in the pile of yellow yarn looks a little like spaghetti & meatballs. I especially like the heart shape two other kitties made. Thanks for sharing. Marian, Heidi, Titan, and Jinx

I love your cat pictures, they bring happiness to my heart. I heard your story on the radio here in the United States today and decided to visit your site. I hope you are well and want you to know that many people in this country are thinking of you and your family.

Hello Raghda,I'm only 18, but I heard your story on the radio here in the US. I was touched by it and inspired to visit your site. You are an amazing young girl who brings light and hope to many. Be proud of yourself and stay strong, for so many who don't know you personally but merely know your name are thinking about you. You are in the hearts of many! Best wishes, and one more thing! I have three cats myself and love them dearly!

I also heard about your blog on a radio program here in the United States. I have two cats: Janis and Elvis. Janis fetches balls...maybe she thinks she is a dog? I wanted to show you where you can listen to the the radio program that talked about your blog. You can find it at:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5233393

I'll be visiting your blog regulary now...because I love cats and also because I care about your life and the lives of your people. Many, many people in the United Stated and around the world are watching, listening and hoping to find some way to reach out and tell you and your people that we truely care and so badly want things to be different for you. So I'll keep visiting your site looking for great cat photos and words from you.

Raghda,I also heard Scott Simon tell us about your site this morning on National Public Radio.I hope you and your family are all well.Another site you might enjoy and one I love is; www.cutelittlekittens.com

I have only one cat as I had to put my beautiful Mac Down this last December. He was 16 or 17 years old and had had a beautiful life, first with my Mother then with me.

Be well, Know that we all are keeping you and yours in our hearts.Farwestgal

My first posting is under Happy New Year. Here is a cat story for you. My first cat was a stray kitten who lived outside of my apartment bulidng. One day as I came home I heard this scratching on a downspout (a metal pipe that carries water down the side of a building). Here was a litttle kitten trying to climb the downspout. Unfortunately someone had left a bucket of oil at the bottom of the downspout. Poor Kitty slid right into the bucket of oil. That curbed her wildness, I was able to capture her. After several days of washing she finally came clean. She turned out to be a white long haired beauty. I named her Scamper. I have many Scamper stories since she was a very bright cat.

As I sit at my computer reading your blog and enjoying the cat pictures,one of my cats is curled in my lap, napping in the sun. I am another NPR radio listener who heard about you today. I am glad of this connection- so many of us are thinking of you, wanting peace for your city and country. God Bless you.Jane Pennsylvania,USA

Hi Raghda,I'm so glad that you keep posting. I love kitties, too. I have 2 of my own and they are my best friends.I am from the U.S. and wish you the best of luck. Stay strong. My thoughts will be with you and your family. Long live Iraq!

Hi Raghda,You are now a most famous young lady in America because you and your cats were on the radio this Saturday morning! I think you will make many new friends. Take care of yourself; God is with you.Caroline MAthilda

Hellow Raghda,I to heard about your blog on NPR this morning. You are an inspiration, your blog is wonderful, and I very much appreciate hearing from someone that lives in Iraq as to what is really going on over there.

I heard Scott Simon on NPR this morning too. I have 7 cats of my own, and I work in an animal shelter. I really wanted to visit your blog and I have to say it's great.It really is such a great thing for you to be doing. I'll be visting regularly as well.

Hi Raghda,It is me Um Yasmine.... Hope you and the family are doing ok. You know I always visit your website to enjoy and the pictures of all those cute cats. My daughter Yamsine loves cats too. I am an Iraqi living in America..as I was driving this morning and as my morning ritual listen to NPR "National Public Radio" there the annoucer was speaking about your blog. At first I did not believe my ears, then it was reality yes he is talking about your blog. Your blog is famous now. Keep the cats pictures coming... I love your website. You are in my prayers especially these ciritical days in Iraq and especially Baghdad. I have family there who have no electricity, water and very low on gas to work the generators. Yesterday I spoke to them ... they said we need just to take baths.... I am so sad for all of you... I know you are all brave and Allah be with you.... take care habebtee Raghda....Um Yasmine.

Raghda, you probably do not realize it but now you are a celebrity in America. Soon most of us will know about you. Your kindness, and honesty could soon make you the most powerful person you know. Long Live Cats. Long live Iraq. Long live Raghda.

this is a really cute picture. Keep up this blog its really great, it shows that no matter the negativity around us.. you can always see something positive, like your love for cats. it's really great. Be safe<3.

I am one more person who heard about you and your blog on the radio this morning, with Scott Simon on National Public Radio (NPR.org). You are now famous in a good way.

I have three cats, whom I love very much. I love your collection of kitty photos, and will check back often.

Thank you for sharing your photos and letting us know what is going on with you, your family, and your country. I am so sorry that things are so difficult in Iraq. I hope that things will change for the better soon. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I was busy this morning taking care of my two-year-old son who was running around like a crazy kitty after some catnip ;-) when my husband came into the room to tell me about a story he heard on NPR. He said he had a mission for me and that was to find your blog. Well I did and as I was reading your posts I could not help but cry. Even tho we hear about what is going on in your country every day, we often forget how lucky we are. I cried because I realized how fortunate I am to be able to chase my son around and not have to worry about what the day will hold for us, except for some coffee and walking around the park. You are, in my language, a "takara," a true treasure and we do not want to loose you, ever. You have another family who is dedicated to reading your blog. Thank you. S from San Jose, California

Hello Radhda,I also heard your story on NPR, I too love cats. I have had them my whole life. I have two now and one of them is 19years old and I have had her since she was 2 weeks old. they bring so much joy into my life, I could not imagine living my life without these wonderful companions. I wish you peace in your life for you and your family. keep posting your photos and telling your stories. The world will be a better place because of it. peace to you always. barbara from NY

I heard about your blog on the radio and I had to check it out. Peace be with you and your family in Iraq. Your blog is proof that people find joy in this world amid the chaos and you have done a beautiful job of illustrating what brings you that joy. Keep up the good work!

Scott Simon encouraged me to put my son on my lap to take a look at these cats and read your inspiring words. My son is much too young to understand the horrors you have faced, let alone how very far away you live. Yet he quickly smiled and jabbered on about the cute cats. He and I will return often to see the cats and learn more about you and your life.

Know that countless others now know your story and are thinking of you, too. Keep sharing your cats and stories with us.

Raghda -- I heard about your site on the radio and love all of your kitty pics. My cat Chip is at this moment trying to sleep on my lap (he is jealous of the keyboard and doesn't apprecaite the clicking of the keys). I will be thinking of you and your family and hope that you remain safe.Take care, Kathy, Michigan, United States

Hello Raghda,I read about your blog on NPR. My duaghter is 13 and also loves cats. (especially our own named Sphinx!)Well, you have a sweet heart. I would love for my students to email you. (I teach 6th grade in Michigan, USA--11 and 12 year olds.)Take care of yourself,Ms. R.

Hi, Raghda, I also heard the NPR program about your blog. I've been reading your blog for a long time so I wasn't really surprised that it got picked up by our public radio station. That is so cool. You are famous now! The cat pictures are great, as always. Take care, be safe.

Wow! It looks like you've become famous, Raghda. I'm glad your story has gotten out. After reading that all these people heard about you on NPR, I decided to find it online for you. Here is the link...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5233393

I've been wondering how you and your family are doing. I'll be happy to see another cat picture come along. That means you are still doing okay.

I saw your blog address on npr's website. I hope you keep posting pictures and writing. Personal accounts/stories are so important--sometimes, one story can change the way the world looks at something. What you're doing is very important--even if it doesn't seem like it now, it's important. I look forward to reading more!

I learned of your blog through National Public Radio. It's night here and I was just on my way to sleep. I wanted to write you to say that my last thoughts of the day are for you and your family. I am wishing for peace. I'm glad you have this beautiful site.

U were on NPR! OH my gosh, i'm so happy for u! 2 bad i missed it, i don't get 2 listen 2 the radio 2 much. what fun! how did they find out about your site? anyway, look how many comments you've goten! i would just like u 2 know that i have luved your site since befor NPR and will continue 2 check it out whenever i have time :-)

My husband and I live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I heard about you on NPR yesterday.

We have two cats, Spike and Freeloader. They sleep a lot and when they're awake they yell at us to put food in their bowls. We had to put them on diets so they don't get a full bowl of food all day long anymore. I guess they don't like it.

We love your cats and your blog. After hearing about your website on the radio, I showed your pictures to my daughter. She is only 17 months old. She was so excited to see the cats that she started meowing with delight. Now she climbs into the chair every night and waits until we turn on the computer to show her your cats.

Please be safe and take care of your family and your cats.Arthur from New York

Raghda, I love your blog. It is just wonderful. A dear friend at work showed it to me this morning and I have been reading it ever since.

I am a cat lover myself.

Your blog is an inspiration to me and obviously to many others. Please keep your positive outlook even when times are hard (and I know that most of us have no idea of the nightmares that you live through).

I also heard about your blog on NPR this weekend, and couldn't wait to check it out! I absolutely LOVE your pictures, they bring a smile each time I look at them. You should check out Catster It is an online community of cat lovers! My kitty Madeline is on there (you can link from my blog)

I hope you are safe and doing well. I wish so much for peace to come to your country.

With my calico cat in my lap, I write to you. Like many people that have written to you lately, I heard about your website from NPR. Your strength, enthusiasm, kindness has inspired me and I will forever be grateful I visited your site for the first time today and am touched. You have brought many people, from all walks of the earth, together to share a common interest. You are what brings peace, harmony,and unity. You have been very kind to share your photos and thoughts. You, your family, and your country are in my thoughts. Thank you. Iraq forever....Cats forever...Baghdad girl forever.....

Hi Ragdha! Thank you for your wonderful, lovely blog. I live in a house with four cats and your pictures remind me of all the funny things they do. Thanks for sharing with everyone! You are a beautiful strong person. You haven't published anything in a while - I hope you and your family are doing well.

How are you doing? We have not heard from you in almost a month and I do hope you are well. The news tells us that the violence in Baghdad has escalated in recent days. I keep checking your blog several times a day, hoping to hear from you and hoping all is well.

Hello,Waaaaaw, I am amazed of all these comments, I had no idea that my blog was mention in the NPR, that is so great, thanks to Simon and of course thank you my visitors and readers.Sorry for my absence, I was very busy in school.

About Me

My name is Raghda. I am an Iraqi Architect who was born in Baghdad in 1991. I lived through the 2003 invasion of Iraq and came out the other side. I now live and work in Dubai. I wrote my story during war in Baghdad Girl Blog and now I will tell you my story after war in Baghdad Girl: Part 2.